Ay, Chihuahua! Little Dog Rescued from Deep Dilemma

A Chihuahua found herself down inside a six-foot-deep drain pipe off Euclid Avenue in San Diego before being rescued Thursday morning.

County Animal Services was called out to the back parking lot of the Imperial Fish Market after good Samaritans had noticed another dog looking down into an eight-inch diameter pipe. They went to investigate and found a second pooch at the bottom.

As people started to gather round, the first dog left. Animal Control Officer Angela Jones got out her rescue equipment and managed to get the Chihuahua out safely. The dog was scared but appeared to be OK. The red object down in the drain pipe with the dog turned out to be a child’s jacket.

It’s not known how the animal ended up in the hole but County Animal Services says the Chihuahua is a female and is about 4 years old. The dog was not wearing a license or any identification and wasn’t microchipped.

“We don’t know how this little dog got into her predicament, but had she been microchipped, she’d probably be back home with her family now,” said County Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson.

Meantime, the rescued dog will be held at the shelter on Gaines Street for three working days to give her owner a chance to come forward and claim her. If she’s not claimed, the Chihuahua will be available for adoption on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Her adoption fee would be $69 and that includes vaccinations, spaying if necessary, a microchip and a dog license.